Garrison Brothers Distillery releases award-winning bourbon

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Garrison Brothers Distillery re-released their award-winning Balmorhea bourbon this week. Photo: Adam Voorheas and Robin Finlay, used with permission. 

Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, announced today the second release of their multi-award-winning twice-barreled bourbon and will celebrate with a party at their distillery in Hye, Texas on Saturday, May 4, 2019. Dubbed the Balmorhea Social, the daytime party will feature armadillo races, distillery tours, bourbon flights, bites by Chef Joseph Moreno and live music by Micah Wagner. Distillery gates will open at 10a.m. and the festivities will last until 5:30p.m. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2019)

Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Garrison Brothers Balmorhea Twice-Barreled Bourbon “American Micro Whiskey of the Year” for 2019. The Garrison Brothers team will celebrate this accolade by releasing the bourbon in a larger format bottle at the party. One lucky attendee will win the chance to join Master Distiller Donnis Todd as he tastes his way through the Garrison Brother’s rick house to find the perfect barrels for the 2020 release of Balmorhea. 55 barrels went into making the 2019 release. One special bottle will be labeled with “#55” and placed on gift shop shelves. The patron who purchases it will win barrel selection rights for the following year. Bourbon lovers are encouraged to keep an eye on Garrison Brother’s Instagram page for teasers and more info.

504 bottles of Balmorhea Twice Barreled Bourbon will be available at the distillery in Hye, Texas, for $139.99 beginning May 4. The remaining 5,496 bottles will be distributed to select liquor stores, bars, and restaurants throughout Texas and the other 26 states and military bases where Garrison Brothers is sold. Bottles will be available for purchase nation-wide the week of May 13.

Balmorhea is named after the majestic West Texas swimming hole and is the only twice-barreled bourbon in the Garrison Brothers family. That means it is aged three years in new American white oak barrels made from wood grown in the Ozarks, then the liquid is transferred to a second new American white oak barrel made from trees grown in Minnesota and aged for another two years. The prized liquid is bottled at 57.5% alc/vol or 115 proof and comes from a sweet mash bill, like all of Garrison Brothers’ releases. Master Distiller Donnis Todd describes Balmorhea as “bourbon candy, frozen fudgesicle bars, amaretto coffee with cream, sticky buns and pecan brittle. Thick white chocolate syrup.”

In January 2019, Dan Garrison, founder and proprietor of Garrison Brothers Distillery, presented the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation with a $30,000 donation from Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, a 501(c)(3) public charity formed by Garrison and his employees. The funds were earmarked for the restoration, preservation and beautification of Balmorhea State Park, which shuttered due to structural damage in May 2018. Garrison Brothers stepped in to host a series of fundraising pool parties and pledged to donate a portion of Balmorhea Bourbon’s sales to repair the shuttered pool. On March 1, 2019, Balmorhea State Park reopened just in time for swimming season.

Garrison Brothers Distillery
1827 Hye Albert Rd.
Hye, TX 78635
(830) 392-0246

Shake Shack offering Game of Thrones menu

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Shake Shack’s Game of Thrones menu is available for a limited time only. Photo: Shake Shack, used with permission. 

Attention Game of Thrones fans: On Friday April 12, Shake Shack San Antonio launched a special Game of Thrones menu nationwide. (Shake Shack, 2019)

In keeping with Shake Shack’s (Rholītso Rhakion’s) commitment to premium ingredients and thoughtful sourcing, the Dragonglass Shake (Zīrtom Perzomy Rholītsos) is a prime example of the Wall to Table movement. Custard is frozen with packed snow harvested beyond the Wall and hand churned by members of the Night’s Watch. Final prep occurs in Winterfell, where the shake is topped with shards of Dragonglass imported from the caves of Dragonstone. Please note supplies are limited as the Wall is currently undergoing major renovations. The Dragon Glass Shake will be available through May 19 at Shacks nationwide (excluding stadiums, ballparks, transit centers and airports).

Shake Shack is also offering a special Dracarys Burger at select Shacks across the United States. The closest Shack location serving the burger are Uptown Dallas and Montrose Houston. Guests can order at Shake Shack, on the app or online.

Shake Shack
7427 San Pedro Avenue, Suite 107
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 277-4770

Hopdoddy Burger Bar launches Smoke Show menu for April

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The Smoke Show Menu will be available through April only. Photo: Hopdoddy, used with permission. 

For the month of April, Hopdoddy Burger Bar invites their customers into The Smoke Show, a month long experience celebrating musicians who march to the beat of their own drum in the spirit of 4/20 and are not afraid to light up for a little inspiration. The Smoke Show menu will be available at all Hopdoddy locations throughout the month of April and will feature items such as the Red Eyed Stranger Burger and the Gin & Juice cocktail. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2019)

Hopdoddy, like the musicians they celebrate, continues to create original menu items inspired by the artists themselves who made their own way. For this reason, the restaurant will be jamming out to artists who are part of The Smoke Show lighting up with a menu that is certain to get diners into the spirit.

The April menu includes the following:
Red Eyed Stranger Burger
• Hemp & Oat seeded bun, red eye mayo, green chili sauce, tobacco onions, fried egg, country style seasoned pork patty
Gin & Juice Cocktail
• Gin, Pineapple, Lime, Guava
Young, Wild And Fries Shake
• Malted Chocolate, Oreo® Cookie-dusted French Fry Garnish

On April 20, Hopdoddy will serve a special 4/20 burger which will only be available that day:
420 Burger Remix (only available on 4/20)
• Pizza bagel top bun, Cool Ranch® dusted French fries, Flaming Hot Cheetos ® ketchup, deep fried Funyun® mayo on a taco patty

Along with a curated menu, Hopdoddy will also be creating a playlist in the restaurant that celebrates music originals and the artists inspired by them. Guests can expect to hear music from artists who are known for smoking up and jamming out like Willie Nelson, Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Afroman, Bob Marley, Childish Gambino, Weezer, Amy Winehouse, Tove Lo, Lil Wayne and more. The beloved Austin-based burger chain has a total of 31 locations in seven states.

“Born in Austin, original music has always been a key part of the Hopdoddy vibe. Kicking off with the Smoke Show this month, we are committed to opening minds through open mouths by creating tributary menu items and playlists to artists that inspire us, our guests, and communities.” – Chief Growth Officer, Terry Haley

Hopdoddy Burger Bar was founded in 2010 in Austin and is a nationally-recognized burger and beer joint. The menu includes burgers, hand-cut Kennebec fries, farm fresh salads and handcrafter milkshakes. Hopdoddy also carries a variety of local craft beers on tap, can and bottle and a has a full bar featuring regional spirits, house-made liqueurs and freshly squeezed juices. Named “The Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, Hopdoddy has locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California with more to come.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar at the Rim
17623 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 434-2337

Fiesta Confetti Madness at North Star Mall

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Shoppers can celebrate Fiesta at North Star Mall this Friday and Saturday. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission. 

Everyone is invited to celebrate Fiesta at North Star Mall for the ultimate Confetti Experience on Friday April 19 and Saturday April 20 from noon to 4p.m. Shoppers will have a chance to enter a large wind tunnel confetti booth for a chance to grab the golden ticket to win a $250 shopping spree.  There will be five winners per day. Shoppers will receive a commemorative collectible North Star Fiesta Medal, while supplies last. (North Star Mall, 2019)

Mariachis and a DJ will provide festive music as the backdrop to activities that include flower crown making classes, fashions and make-up demonstrations. The Easter Bunny, furry, fluffy and full of hugs will be available for visits. Commemorative photo packages start at $29.99. All children under 12 receive a complimentary surprise when they strike a cozy pose with Ms. Easter Bunny located in front of Macy’s. The Easter Bunny will greet visitors during mall hours through Saturday, April 20, when she leaves to deliver eggs to children around the globe.

North Star Mall
7400 San Pedro
Confetti Booth, Saks wing and Easter Bunny, in front of Macy’s
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-6627

Pluckers to host first Fiesta celebration

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Thursday April 18 will be Pluckers’ Fiesta celebration. Photo: Pluckers Wing Bar, used with permission. 

Pluckers Wing Bar is hosting their first annual Fiesta celebration at the Selma location on Thursday, April 18. The first 200 Pluckers Club members to arrive and stay for the launch of Pluck Hunt will receive Pluckers’ first-ever limited-edition Fiesta medal. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2019)

The celebration is family-friendly, with crafts, face painting and more starting at 6p.m. At 7:30p.m., Pluckers will launch their weekly signature game, Pluck Hunt, a scavenger-hunt style game guests can play in their seat. The host will ask teams to complete fun challenges and search for objects on their phones. The top two scoring teams and one randomly chosen team get to roll Pluckers’ giant dice for gift card prizes. Pluck Hunt will take place every Thursday at 9p.m., beginning May 2, at the Selma location.

Pluckers Club, Pluckers’ signature rewards program and membership, offers members a variety of rewards, including, but not limited to, free birthday meals, invitations to exclusive events, food and drink specials and more. Memberships are available on the Pluckers app, online and in-store for just $20.

Pluckers Wing Bar – Selma
14881 Interstate 35 Frontage Rd
Selma, TX 78154

Theater review: ‘Late Nite Catechism’ at the Charline McCombs Theatre

latenite2The uproaringly funny ‘Late Nite Catechism’ returned to the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre this month for four unconventional but hilarious catechism classes. ‘Late Nite Catechism’ is an interactive play about a fictitious Catholic nun where the nun is the only person on stage and the audience becomes the class. She takes the audience back to their youth as the irrepressible Sister teaches an adult catechism class. Proceeds went to benefit the Archdiocese San Antonio Chapter of the Retired Fund for the Religious which provides medication and nursing care to elderly sisters, brothers and priests.

Written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, ‘Late Nite Catechism’ is a one woman show and opens as the Sister (Kimberly Richards) welcomes her “students” for another round of catechism class. The first ones to feel her ire were the late comers. She singled them out individually and shamed them for having the gall to be late  and fined them $1 each, funds which she said would go to a late-night dinner after the show. One of the female students was wearing a low-cut blouse so naturally, the Sister gave her a plastic bib to cover up during the entire show. Once class began, the topics covered were the saints whose sainthood was being reconsidered and the four different types of afterlife. She rewarded the students for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries, mini saint statues and laminated saint cards, which she said are laminated so they do not get soaked with the students’ tears. There were question and answer moments where the students shared their past experiences in Catholic school. On their way out, the audience was encouraged to drop a donation in the collection buckets.

On opening night, the audience was overwhelmingly former Catholic school students who no doubt related to most of what was being discussed. They got to relive, sometimes not too fondly, their school experience while the rest got a glimpse of the ups and downs of Catholic school. The show has the feel of an improv routine because since each audience is different, they give the Sister some of the interactive material for the night and is bound to vary with each show. With a classroom setting that includes a collage of U.S. Presidents that had Obama’s picture as the biggest one and in the middle, there was one tense moment when one of the students questioned why that was, to which the Sister plainly responded “because he is a President”…obviously. Overall, the atmosphere was relaxed but some students had already had too much to drink and were slightly belligerent but Ms. Richards held her composure. Sometimes she would just crack up laughing at her own jokes. ‘Late Nite Catechism’ is bound to strike a resonant chord with anyone who survived Catholic school with nuns as teachers and those who did not will just enjoy the fun moments while being glad they were spared.

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Ball Break contest at Fast Eddie’s

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Photo: Fast Eddie’s, used with permission.

Attention Fast Eddies pool fans. Beginning April 4, Fast Eddie’s is hosting a weekly 9 Ball Break Contest at all locations from 8p.m. to 9:30p.m. The event involves a progressive jackpot starting with $500 added. That means one lucky winner will take a $500 prize plus each $3 entry fee from all competitors every Thursday. (Fast Eddie’s, 2019)

Fast Eddie’s opened its first location in San Antonio in August 1998 by hospitality experts and bar veterans, Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX

COVER 3 hosting medal release party

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COVER 3 is having their first medal release party on Thursday April 18. Photo: COVER 3, used with permission. 

On Thursday April 18, COVER 3 is hosting their first-ever medal release party in support of Fiesta San Antonio, which kicks off that same night downtown. Event starts at 4p.m. and will last through 10p.m. for the restaurant and 11p.m. for the bar. (COVER 3, 2019)

Medals are only $10 to benefit the local nonprofit Teed Off At Cancer, who will also have medals available for sale that night, while supplies last. Proceeds go to help support young children diagnosed with cancer. Every $1 per order of fried pickles purchased at the event will also go to this nonprofit. If patrons purchase one of the COVER 3 medals, they automatically become an “Official Margarita Ambassador” and get access to $5 margaritas for the entire night (regular price $7.75).

This is an excellent event for local residents to start their night before heading to the downtown festivities, as well as for those who might be looking to avoid the downtown madness but still want to give back and participate in the annual event.

COVER 3 San Antonio
1806 N 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78248
(210) 479-9700

 

Upcoming Easter specials

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Bakery Lorraine will have Easter theme pastries available for the holiday. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Easter is right around the corner and local restaurants will be having Easter specials and special menus throughout the month. Whether it is special Easter pastries, meal specials or special events, there is something for everyone. (Bakery Lorraine, Davila’s BBQ, Krause’s Café, 2019)

Bakery Lorraine will celebrate the Easter holiday with specialty pastries that include the bunny heads made with white chocolate mousse and strawberry compote, the Easter egg moon pies and the chocolate tart “nest.” They will only be available April 20 and 21 and while supplies last.

Davila’s BBQ will offer an Easter family meal available for pick up that day. For $43, families can pick up Davila’s Easter Family Order for 4-8 people that includes 1 pound of beef brisket, 1/2 chicken, two handmade sausage links, dessert and two quarts of sides: pinto beans, potato salad, Cole slaw, green beans, mac n’ cheese, Spanish rice and creamed corn. Orders can be made by calling the restaurant at 830-379-5566.

Krause’s Café
Friday, April 19 – A crawfish boil featuring Karbach Brewing Co. will take over the biergarten beginning at 6p.m. Prices are $15 for 1lb and $25 for 2lb of crawfish. The boil will include crawfish, corn, sausage and potatoes plus live music from Pete & Sean Williams.

Tuesday, April 30 – Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten is partnering with Duckhorn Vineyards to host a specialty wine paired dinner on Tuesday, April 30 at 7p.m. The vino-centric event will highlight various dishes created by Chef “Boomer” Acuna including Beefchetta. Each course will be specialty paired with a select Duckhorn wine. The restaurant will have a prix fixe four-course menu to be announced.

La Panaderia, the San Antonio-based bakery led by Mexican brothers Jose and David Cáceres, has created a special Easter Egg treat. Starting this week through the Easter Holiday, La Panadería’s downtown San Antonio location is offering its glazed mousse Easter Eggs in assorted flavors including chocolate and mixed berry for $8.00 each.

‘In The Heights’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

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‘In The Heights’ opens Friday April 12 at the Woodlawn Theatre. From left to right: Jillian Sainz as Nina Rosario, Miguel Ochoa as Usnavi De La Vega, Lisa Decker as Vanessa and Venny Mortimer as Benny. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

Coming up this week at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘In The Heights.’ It opens on Friday April 12 and runs until Sunday May 5, 2019. ‘In The Heights’ is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegria Hudes and takes place over the course of three days in the largely Hispanic-American neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. There will be a special Thursday show on April 18 at 7p.m. and an Easter show on Sunday April 21 at 7p.m.  Tickets are available online or by calling the Box Office at 210-267-8388. Prices are $30 for adults, $24 for Senior/Military/First Responders and $18 for Children/Student. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2019)

‘In The Heights’ tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It is a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. This musical is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations.

Cast includes: Usnavi De La Vega – Miguel Ochoa, Nina Rosario – Jillian Sainz, Kevin Rosario – Michael J Gonzalez, Camila Rosario – Victoria Nieves, Benny – Venny Mortimer, Vanessa – Lisa Decker, Sonny – Michael Parisi, Abuela Claudia – Ana Hernandez, Daniela – Melissa Gonzalez, Carla – Amy Mireles, Piragua Guy – Rene Sandoval, Graffiti Pete – Chibbi Orduna. The Director is Tim Hedgepeth, Choreographer Carla Sankey and Musical Director Andrew Hendley.

Promotional Nights:
Student Night: Saturday April 13- $10 /Child/Student tickets with code STUDENT
Pride Night: Friday April 19 – 25% off all tickets with code PRIDE
ASL Night Sunday May 5 – 25% off all tickets with code ASL

Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 267-8388